11 Mar March 11, 1944

Letter
from: Alice Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
March 11, 1944
1 A.M., (or is it March 12?)

Hello, Wes,

Here I am again sitting on the Davenport writing my sweetie pie again.  We
(Eleanor and I, if you’re in doubt!) just came home from the Parkway Theater
where we saw [the show] "Guadalcanal Diary" and "My Kingdom for a Cook."  They
were both good, especially the first.  It really shows action.  Gave me shivers
up and down my spine.  I hope and pray you never have to go overseas.

I went down to pick up your glasses this afternoon, but they

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were still working on ’em.  He told me to come back after 7:00 and he said
he’d pack them for mailing for me.  I picked them up tonite, but couldn’t send
them airmail, as the airmail weighing over 1 ounce has to be opened and
inspected at the Postoffice.  But I sent them regular mail, Spec. Delivery, as
otherwise I couldn’t have sent them until Mon. morning and that would take
longer than regular mail.  Hope you get them soon, as I know you’re lost
without ’em.  Dr. Bush recommended you get a pair with plastic frames for camp
wear.  Let me know if you want them made up.

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I was part of a searching party for Bobby Dixon today.  About 12:00 o’clock
Mrs. Dixon came over and asked if Bobby was here and I said "no."  She said
he’d been gone for 1/2 an hour with his tricycle and she and Dim and her dad
had looked all over for him, so I went out too.  She called the squad car and
when Dim (her husband) finally found Bobby at 1:30 he was playing with some
kids at 113th and  Wentworth.  Imagine?  Crossing all those streets and train
tracks.  Wish I could be so nonchalant. (No I don’t either)  She lets him out
to roam around all over without watching him.  She

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claims she was away from the window for only 5 min., but I don’t believe it.
After all a 3 yr. old doesn’t have sense enuf to stay home.  I guess they really
gave him a "blistering" too.  I think they should have had one.  Don’t you?

I put Ronnie to bed tonite before June came, but he saw me take my coat out of
the bedroom closet and he started to bawl.  I had to put him to bed in the big
bed and lay down with him until he went to sleep.  He’s getting as bad about
letting me out of the house as Joyce is with Gladys and Dick.  Don’t know what
I can do, do you?  He just won’t let

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me out of his sight anymore.  Even if I leave the room, or go out to empty
garbage, he starts to pout and says, "Where are you going, Mommy?"  The other
day he says, " Where’s Daddy?" and we said, "Daddy’s in the Army" and he said,
"Daddy’s in Army?"

I got the gas bill today, $28.06, and it’s from Feb. 1st to Mar. 2nd.  Telephone
bill is $6.16 (and does not even include, Florida collect call.)  Of course
$1.50 was for moving the telephone from bedroom to dining room.  Electric bill
is $5.76, but this is an averaged bill, as

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[the] meter was not read and will be added on to next bill.  S’pose it’ll be
ten bucks next time.

The Pages are having 8 for dinner tonite, so guess we’ll really hear a lot of

noise tomorrow.

Well I’m falling asleep, and Elinor has gone to sleep in the big chair, so
guess I’ll have to close now.

We went to Ingledook after the show, but didn’t get any service, so we went
home and had some coffee and cake.

Elinor has gained 4 lbs (weighs 112 now) since coming to live with me, and I’ve
gone up to 114 myself.  Hope I don’t get fat - Oh dear!  Then my honey won’t
love me anymore.

Bye and lots of love,
Mom and Ronnie

P.S. Eleanor says hi and June felt bad that she couldn’t say goodbye to you
before you left even her grandma asked about you the other day.  Are you popular?